The Brazilian Butt Lift is a popular cosmetic procedure that adds shape and volume to your backside through a minimally invasive procedure. But, like any cosmetic procedure, there is a recovery period, and we wanted to provide more detail about that. If you’re considering a BBL, our board-certified plastic surgeon in Raleigh is sharing what you can expect as you recover.
How Does the Brazilian Butt Lift Work?
If you’re just exploring this procedure, it’s important to know how it works. Unlike buttock implants that involve placing a prosthetic implant to get the shape you want, a BBL is a fat transfer procedure. First, liposuction is performed to remove fat, usually from the belly, hips, or thighs, and then it’s processed and purified so the fat cells can be injected into the buttocks to create the desired shape and volume.
Initial Recovery from a BBL
After the procedure, you’ll spend a brief period of time in a recovery room where you’ll receive your post-procedure instructions, a pain medication prescription, and a compression garment before going home. For a few days following your Brazilian Butt Lift, it’s very common to experience bruising, swelling, and discomfort, both at the liposuction site and the injection sites. There may even be a small amount of fluid that leaks out from the sites, which may be tinged pink or red from blood. This is normal and nothing to be concerned about, but if it seems excessive, you can always reach out to your plastic surgeon with concerns. Any draining, pain, and bruising should go away after a few days, and you can be up and around within a day or two.
Long Term Recovery After Your BBL
For around eight weeks after your procedure, it’s important to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions to not only prevent injury but to ensure the best possible results.
Wearing a Compression Garment
Where you had liposuction, you’ll need to wear a compression garment around the area. This not only reduces swelling and discomfort, it also speeds up the healing and recovery process and improves the final result by improving skin retraction.
Avoiding Sitting Directly on Your Buttocks
For at least two weeks, you’ll need to avoid sitting on your buttocks. Initially, this is for comfort, but it’s also necessary for your results. This means reclining on your side, laying on your stomach, or using a donut or special cushion to sit on, and when you sleep, laying on your side or stomach. Sitting directly on the area can slow blood circulation which, in turn, can destroy the fat cells that were injected into the area. Avoiding sitting for long periods, maintaining light activity periodically through the day, and using an inflatable pillow or cushion can improve your results.
Avoiding High Impact Activity
In addition to taking care in how you sit, you’ll need to take care in how you move. High impact activity that could “shake” the area” should be abstained from for at least six weeks in order to allow the fat cells to stabilize. This includes jogging, aerobics, and jumping rope. Lighter activity, like yoga, brisk walking, and pilates can often be started at four weeks.
Schedule a Consultation for a Brazilian Butt Lift in Raleigh Today
If you’d like to have a rounder, more attractive backside, a Brazilian Butt Lift may be right for you. To learn more about the procedure and get personalized advice, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Ortiz, today. Call our office at (919) 532-2270 or fill out our contact form today to learn more.
